What I want to draw attention to is the political framework of medieval Europe that would be easily duplicated in a game such as this... and would add a very powerful political element to the PvP portion of the game.

For those not in the know here's how it worked.

King (Or Emperor) would hold his own lands and would lord over a group of nobles known as Dukes... who would in term rule over a group of nobles known as counts.... who ruled over a patch of land and a number of cities.

This is why, for example, Royalty was prone to having absurdly long titles.

King Mike Would be the King of America, the Duke of New England, and so forth.

In the game if you conquered someone you'd place a tax on their estate for a set number of days... say two weeks. Or... people could voluntary place themselves under your leadership or be placed under your leadership.

The taxes could be used to buy bonuses... such as reduced research costs... improved bowstrings.. whatever.. as well as fund a "national army" that could be apportioned out to players.

Point being there are all kinds of things you could do with such a set up. Including overthrow the king and take the title.